HER DAY Opera are looking for female singers of all different musical backgrounds from across Coventry and Warwickshire to join the community chorus for a new opera, HER DAY. The project has been funded by Coventry City of Culture Trust through the Foundation and will premiere in Coventry in March 2022 as part of the Coventry City of Culture festivities.
This is a unique opportunity for local female singers to take part in the premiere production of an exciting new female-led opera by Sayan Kent (composer) and Vanessa Oakes (librettist). Participants will be singing with Chorus Director Mariana Rosas (above) and Marcella Campaña. The opera will be directed by Lucy Bradley.
HER DAY puts a spotlight on the lives of ordinary Coventry women engaged in everyday acts of peaceful protest. It focuses on themes of self-care, family re-union, coercive control, and female autonomy and well-being. The opera was developed from workshops with local women. There will also be an accompanying programme of activities exploring opera, such as: online open conversations, taster singing workshops and pop-up opera performances.
Vanessa Oakes, co-founder HER DAY Opera, said:
“We love opera, and believe passionately that everyone should have access to both making and experiencing opera, including more working-class women like Sayan and myself. Come and join us!”
The chorus will rehearse in Coventry twice weekly on Fridays 6pm – 8pm and Saturdays 2pm – 4pm & 10am – 12noon (PM & AM on alternate weeks) from Friday 21st January 2022. For the full list of dates / times visit:
https://herdayopera.wordpress.com/2021/12/08/her-day-chorus/
Evening performances will take place in Coventry on 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th March 2022, plus an afternoon matinee on Saturday 12th March.
Anyone interested in signing up for the chorus should email Lisa Franklin, HER DAY’s community engagement producer, at: herdayopera@gmail.com, who will be able to answer questions about rehearsal dates and confirm places. Lisa can also advise on other community activities linked to the opera and on access requirements.